To Commend and Encourage Informal Conversations with WELS and ELS

WHEREAS, The first objective of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, is to “Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10), work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy”; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 2012, LCMS leaders have met yearly with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) to discuss such topics as the doctrine of church and ministry; the doctrine of church fellowship, and hermeneutics (biblical interpretation); and

WHEREAS, As reported jointly (https://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=3864), the WELS-ELS13 LCMS discussions have enabled participants to identify many points of common understanding and practice; to honestly recognize points of difference; and to realize that many assumptions about the teaching and practice of the other church(es) were false or exaggerated; and

WHEREAS, All the participants in these discussions with the WELS and ELS, agree that (1) though such conversations will likely not in the near future enable altar and pulpit fellowship between our churches because of continuing differences in teaching and practice, they are (2) highly beneficial, have increased the degree of common understanding, and enabled our churches to encourage each other in faithful confession of the Christian faith and holy living in grateful obedience to the Triune God; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention give thanks to God for the WELS and the ELS and our joint desire to be faithful confessors of the truth of God’s Word; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention give thanks for the increasingly cordial relationship with these fellow Lutherans and, in particular, for their willingness to send representatives to this convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That the LCMS commend the Office of the President and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations for pursuing these opportunities to conserve and promote unity without compromise of God’s Word and strongly encourage such discussions to continue.

Enter Your Comment or Opinion

EXPLANATION OF SCORING MECHANISM

The scores for each Resolution are an attempt to predict which resolutions are likely to attract the most attention at the upcoming convention.

SCORE RANGE: 1-5, where 1 = low and 5 = high

SCORING CATEGORIES
L = Likelihood of adoption. For example, Commendation Resolutions are usually easy to pass, so would score 5.
S = Strengthens Doctrine & Practice. Is the Resolution faithful to Scripture and our Confessions? Does it entrench them?
F = Strengthens Walking in Fellowship. Does the Resolution enhance Synodical values?
P = Synod Priority. What is the priority of the Resolution for the Synod, especially with reference to S&F above?
X = Executable. Does the Resolution have a realistic goal? Can it be achieved with measurable results?

SCORE
The final score is based on weightings (see below). A low score means the Resolution is likely a pro-forma matter. A high value means it is likely to be contested.